Sectarian violence in Myanmar between Muslims and Buddhists is at its worst in over a year.

This Rohingya Muslim group in Thailand is protesting in front of the U.N. office in Bangkok, calling the violence, which killed at least 8 yesterday, a "genocide."

(SOUNDBITE) (English) PRESIDENT OF BURMESE ROHINGYA ASSOCIATION IN THAILAND, MUANG KYAW NU SAYING:

"I would like this intervention, U.N. intervention, to save my people who are being killed. Genocide is there."

The violence erupted on Friday, prompting the government to declare a state of emergency.

Thousands of stateless Rohingya Muslims, who live in abject conditions along Myanmar's border with Bangladesh, are at odds with Myanmar's predominantly Buddhist majority.

The Myanmar government regards Rohingyas as illegal immigrants and denies them citizenship.

But Rohingya activists demand recognition, claiming a centuries-old lineage in the area.

Sarah Sheffer, Reuters